Where Not To Go On Holiday To Avoid Traveller's Tummy

15/12/2010 10:48
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Updated
22 May 2015

Christine Morgan
MyDaily UK

Egypt has the highest number of cases of traveller's tummy. Photo: MorgueFile, jimmunnelly

With the New Year just around the corner it's almost time to start thinking about where you want to go on your next summer holiday. And if you're planning to go abroad the Health Protection Agency has come up with some timely advice - especially if you want to avoid the dreaded traveller's tummy.

Estimates of how many people suffer from tummy problems when they're on holiday vary between 20-60%, so the odds of you going down with a tummy bug - depending on which country you're visiting - aren't that great. The Health Protection Agency, however, has compiled a list of the top 10 holiday spots to avoid if you want to stay bug free.

Taking the top spot in the Delhi belly league is Egypt, which has the highest rates of stomach illness (82 cases per 100,000 visits), with India coming in second with 65 cases. Third on the places-to-avoid list is Thailand, followed by Pakistan, Morocco, Kenya, Tunisia, the Caribbean, Mexico, Malta and Cyprus.

Out of the most popular destinations for English, Welsh and Northern Irish tourists, the highest number of stomach bug cases was found in Portugal - though with just 6.6 cases per 100,000 visits, you might just think taking a break there is worth the risk.

The report also classified Africa, Latin America, the Middle East and Asia as the most dangerous destinations in terms of the risk of catching a stomach infection - though that's hardly news to anyone who travels a lot.